LONDON: Stella Assange, the wife of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, expressed optimism on Thursday following indications that US President Joe Biden is considering dropping the prosecution against her husband, who has spent five years detained in Britain.
In an interview with the BBC, Stella Assange described Biden’s response to Australia’s plea for ending Assange’s legal saga as a “good sign.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently expressed optimism after Biden acknowledged considering the request.
Julian Assange, an Australian national, has been held at London’s Belmarsh Prison since 2019, fighting extradition to the United States. His extradition appeal decision, initially expected in April, has been postponed to May 20.
Assange faces multiple US indictments related to WikiLeaks’ release of classified information. There has been ongoing pressure on Biden to drop the case, initiated under former President Donald Trump.
Prior to his prison term, Assange sought asylum in Ecuador’s London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden over sexual assault allegations, which were later dropped.
On the anniversary of Assange’s arrest, supporters gathered outside the Australian High Commission in London demanding his freedom.
Stella Assange highlighted her husband’s deteriorating health and stressed the urgency of dropping the case, given the potential severity of the charges he faces.
